UTICA, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team (3-2-1) got goals from junior midfielder Jess Sterns (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) and freshman forward Jaci Morr (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) to hand Utica College (3-1-1) its first defeat of the season. Junior goalkeeper Bri Thibeau (Salem, N.Y./Salem) notched the shutout for her first victory as a Bear.

Stearns gave Potsdam all the offense it needed just five minutes into the contest. The junior headed home a corner kick off the foot of sophomore midfielder Kaylen Van Wagner (Red Hook, N.Y./Hotchkiss) for a 1-0 advantage. While the Bears didn't add any scoring insurance in the first half, their defense was stifling. Potsdam outshot the Pioneers 9-0 in the opening period and kept the lead into the break.

Just 1:26 into the final 45 minutes, Morr took the ball in all alone and beat Utica goalie Kelly Heimerle to make it a 2-0 contest. The Pioneers picked up their play and outshot Potsdam 5-1 over the remainder of the contest. However, Thibeau shut Utica down, making all four of her saves in the second half to seal the win

The Bears outshot the Pioneers 11-5 and edged Utica 4-3 in corner kicks.

This Wednesday, Potsdam heads to SUNY Canton for the fifth annual Boyd Jones Cup. The Bears are 3-0-1 and haven't allowed a Kangaroo goal in the series.